We have to start with the elephant-in-the-room problem: Trying to figure out where to stay in Tokyo with kids is like asking where to stay in Los Angeles, New York City, or London.
Finding the right place to stay in Tokyo comes down not to top 10 lists or general recommendations. It’s about knowing what you want and need out of your trip, then matching the right area and place to stay so you can make that happen.
Plan your trip to Tokyo
Based on our family of four’s multiple trips to Japan, we’re going to break down how we approach staying in Japan’s capital city. We’ll also share general profiles of neighborhoods, so you can make better choices about where to stay in Tokyo. From there, you can find the right accommodation for your trip.
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Tokyo accommodation
The problem: Tokyo is too big to choose accommodation based on general recommendations
Plenty of sites, from booking engines to blogs, can showcase their top lists or personal recommendations for where to stay in Tokyo.
However, Tokyo is so huge. It’s hard to define the size of the main city, much less its overall region or metro area.
That’s why figuring out where to stay means coming at this a little differently.
For example, blogs, videos, magazines might suggest three places to stay or a few areas (and they just as often only suggest the one place they happened to be staying). They might list one recommendation each for budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation.
That can be kind of helpful, but only if the neighborhood actually matches what you want out of your trip… and if their suggestions line up at all with the property’s availability, not to mention your priorities and budget.
“Tokyo is full of great accommodation in welcoming neighborhoods.”
Staying in the wrong area wastes time and leads to dissatisfaction with your Tokyo trip
An area that doesn’t match your priorities puts a big damper downer on your visit. Here are a few examples:
Spending hours on public transportation or in traffic to get to a totally different part of the city
Yes, Tokyo has excellent public transportation. The metro area is still massive. For example, if you stay in the Odaiba area in Tokyo Bay, trains to SKYTREE, Meiji, or Asakusa are going to take at least an hour. And that’ll mean at least another hour getting back.
Sometimes that can be avoidable. Often you can find an area to stay that gives you less back-and-forth time, and that’s going to be worth your while.
Being in an area that doesn’t offer the amenities or activities you want
For example, our family of four’s idea of nightlife is eating ice cream while watching One Piece. We’re probably not going to stay in an area renowned for its bars or clubs, such as Roppongi.
Conversely, if you want to immerse yourself in or have proximity to Tokyo’s more traditional sides, odds are you don’t want the glass-and-steel architecture of the Chiyoda ward central business district, such as the Marunouchi area.
Overpaying for accommodation that doesn’t fit you can put a crimp on your entire Japan trip
Your accommodation in Japan is likely going to be one of your bigger spends in your travel budget. However, you don’t have to go top-dollar to find an optimal spend.
Tokyo is full of incredible, high-end accommodation. But does that fit what you want out of your trip? Are you traveling with kids in a way that makes amenities less attractive or useful? Are you using your accommodation mainly to store your stuff and have a sleep?
The city accommodates a wider range of accommodation budgets than you might think. If high dollar matches what you want out of your trip, then have at it and have a great time. If it doesn’t, that’s okay. It’s far better to find the accommodation you want that works for you and your travel companions, such as your family.
What to do instead: Know what you want out of your trip and use that to pinpoint the right area to stay in
Understanding the activities you seek, the atmosphere you want, and what you prefer to avoid is essential to getting the most out of your time in Tokyo. Here are factors to consider and questions to ask yourself and your family or travel group:
- What activities and attractions do you want to experience?
- Is there an overall area that clusters many of your priorities, or is close to them?
- What is your accommodation budget?
- What accommodation features are must-haves, what are you flexible on, and what are you not fussed about?
- Is there a particular area that you really want to immerse yourself in?
Where to stay in Tokyo (especially with kids): Areas and neighborhoods
We’re going to note some specific areas and neighborhoods of Tokyo, based on our own research and our experience visiting Japan as a family of four. We’ll share notable attractions, tips on transportation, and other considerations that can help you make the right choice for you.
Ueno/Taito City
Stay here to be near: Asakusa, Sensoji, and Ueno Park
The Taito City and Ueno areas make it easy for you to take in some of Tokyo’s most notable attractions, including some popular with families.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself using Ueno Station a lot. You can use Ueno Station to connect to the JR Yamanote Line, one of the most essential lines for getting around different parts of Tokyo. When departing the city, Ueno can also be where you catch departing trains, including the Joetsu Shinkansen and Tohoku Shinkansen.
Attractions in or near this area:
Ueno Park: Excellent playgrounds, paths, and grounds, plus museums and Ueno Zoological Gardens
Asakusa: Home to the iconic, Sensoji temple and bright-red Kaminarimon, or thunder gate, along with shopping streets, a covered shopping arcade, and side streets full of restaurants, shops, and shrines
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Odaiba
Stay here to be near: teamLab Planets, lots of parks, and the giant Unicorn Gundam statue at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza MJ
For starters, Odaiba is not close to the city center. This area is built on peninsula land and artificial islands in Tokyo Bay.
However, the location gives stellar waterfront views of the skyline. Plus, there’s less crowding and more of a sense of quiet in this area.
Being away from the main city is double-edged, of course. Odaiba can be about a half-hour train ride to, say, Shibuya Crossing, but Asakusa can be over an hour away.
At the same time, parks abound in Odaiba. Many have excellent walkways and promenades, along with shopping centers, piers, and ferries.
Not far from the iconic Fuji Television Network building, you can find Odaiba’s Statue of Liberty. Family attractions abound, including teamLab Planets, Kidzania Tokyo, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, and Legoland® Discovery Center Tokyo.
Along with being home to the selfie-loving Unicorn Gundam, the DiverCity shopping center has an excellent food court, gaming centers, and is home to one of the One Piece merch Mugiwara Stores.
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Akasaka (nope, not Asakusa)
Stay here to be near: Meiji Jingu Gaien and the Imperial Palace
If the name makes you do a double-take, don’t worry. I’ve been to Tokyo multiple times and still have to do one too.
Asakusa is where the Sensoji temple is.
Akasaka is considered a really convenient area for visitors to Tokyo. This area hosts 4 metro lines and multiple stations. If your itinerary includes getting to and from many parts of the city, then Akasaka’s transportation versatility could make your sightseeing days much easier.
Word is, however, that it’s not as crowded or over-touristed as other areas. You may find it easier to find good deals on accommodation.
Akasaka can help you get to Meiji. The green grounds are like a small forest in the middle of the city. While wandering the paths of Meiji or visiting its shrines, it’s easy to forget that you’re in one of the world’s greatest, most bustling cities.
Yet you’re also not far from another iconic Tokyo must-see: the Imperial Palace itself.
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Shinjuku & Shibuya
Stay here to be near: Shibuya Sky Observation Deck, iconic electronics stores, Shibuya Crossing, more shopping
Along with near-global name recognition, Shinjuku and Shibuya stand on their own as distinctive areas, but they’re close enough to consider them together.
These are bustling parts of Tokyo, full of life, nightlife, and dining. They’re also crowded. Many people tend to hone in on the same popular spots, such as the Shibuya Crossing and the statue of Hachiko the dog.
Tip: Don’t tell people to meet you at Hachiko. Everyone else is already meeting their friends there.
These areas can be great to visit, but that doesn’t make them great for where to stay in Tokyo with kids.
Proximity to the Yamanote Line is useful. However, check your plans with the train routes first. The circular Yamanote is awesome, but it’s not the one ring that rules all Tokyo travel plans.
Personally, we’d typically prefer to stay in other parts of Tokyo, and nip into these areas for specific activities or sightseeing.
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Marunouchi
Stay here to be near: Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace
As home to one of Tokyo’s busiest business districts, Marunouchi is a tough one for visitors and families. Yes, it’s convenient to Tokyo Station. Being near Tokyo Station can make it easy to catch trains to many parts of the city as well as to other parts of Japan, especially on Shinkansen lines such as the Tokaido Shinkansen.
However, the area itself is more of a day-to-day business area.
Things to do and places to go can get thin after business hours, though Tokyo being Tokyo, there’s always a way to find something. On the other hand, if you prefer your evenings in, especially with kids, that may not be a big deal.
A huge plus? There are lots of hotels in the area. You’re also very close to the Imperial Palace.
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Ginza
Stay here to be near: Hamarikyu Gardens, shopping galore
Just south of Marunouchi is the Ginza area, Ginza is known for its glitz. It’s a lovely area, and one that can have less kid friendliness and higher-end costs than other parts of the city.
However, Ginza is a nice in-between space. It balances proximity to the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station with more dining and shopping options than Marunouchi, but less bustle than Shinjuku and Shibuya. Ginza is also a nice base if you want to duck out to Odaiba for a day, or perhaps down to nearby Yokohama.
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Sumida City
Stay here to be near: Tokyo Skytree, Tobu Rail Museum, Sumida Aquarium, Tokyo Solamachi Shopping Center
One of our own stays has been in the Sumida City area. The neighborhoods here have easy access to bus and train services, but can give a more relaxed, day-to-day feel. From our apartment rental, we were a few minutes’ walk from a bus stop, grocery stores, and parks.
In return, we could easily snag a bus or train to nearby attractions in this northeastern section of town, such as the iconic Tokyo Skytree. Nearby the tower is also the Tokyo Solamachi Shopping Center, home of a Ghibli Store and a Shonen Jump store for anime merch.
Bonus: This area is also convenient for a stop by the adorable onigiri shrine:
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Maihama
Stay here to be near: Tokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea)
If Tokyo Disney factors big in your Japan plans, the Maihama area is your home base.
For starters, Maihama Station is only about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station, making it easy to go back and forth.
If you’re only going to Disney for a day, you’d be fine staying in another part of town. Just make sure you factor in the longer travel times: For example, Shinjuku is about an hour away.
When spending at least a couple days, such as a full day at Tokyo DisneySea and a full day at Tokyo Disneyland, we’d suggest staying in the Maihama area. It’s also the epicenter of all Disney hotels and Good Neighbor properties.
Our own family has visited Tokyo Disney 3 times. Since we consider each park an all-day adventure, we are relieved for the short bus ride back to our hotel. Staying in Maihama also puts you near shopping areas such as Ikspiari.
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To learn more about Tokyo Disney, check out these pieces
6 Tokyo Disney hotels with free shuttles to Tokyo Disney Resort + DisneySea
What’s it like using a wheelchair at Tokyo Disney Resort?
6 must-try foods at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea
Tokyo abounds with great accommodation in welcoming neighborhoods
Our own accommodation experiences have ranged from couchsurfing in far western suburbs, to staying in hotels and vacation rentals in other parts of Tokyo.
No matter where you stay, there will be trade-offs. Some places you want to visit may require more travel time. Others will be an easy walk from your front door.
The nice thing about staying in Tokyo?
While the metro area is huge, it’s hard to go wrong.
Tokyo is full of great accommodation in welcoming neighborhoods. Where to stay in Tokyo, especially with kids, simply comes down to matching up your priorities as best you can with the right area that makes your travels more convenient and gives you the experience you seek out of your trip to Tokyo.
